Understanding false beliefs

There have been many discussion recently about belief in false facts. This phenomenon has shown up both in politics and in science.

In order to understand why people persist in believing things that are demonstrably false, you have to consider the psychology.

…[C]onsider whether the following statements are true or false:

– We only use ten percent of our brains.
– We lose most of our body heat through our heads.
– If you swallow chewing gum, it will stay in your system for seven years.
– Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis.

If you answered “true” to any of these, you’re guilty of believing falsehoods.